NY S00073

Allows hunters ages 12-13 to hunt with crossbows during archery seasons for deer and bear, removing the current prohibition on crossbow use by this age group.

Changes the definition of crossbow ammunition from "bolt" to "arrow" and removes the requirement for a minimum 17-inch limb width and maximum 200-pound draw weight, keeping only the 100-pound minimum draw weight requirement.

Reduces the safety distance requirement for crossbows from 200 feet to 150 feet when discharged near dwellings, farm buildings, schools, and other structures.

Lowers the minimum age for taking small game with a crossbow from 14 years old to 12 years old and removes restrictions on which geographic areas allow crossbow hunting.

Authorizes the Department of Environmental Conservation to adopt regulations for crossbow use and requires annual publication of crossbow hunting regulations in the hunting syllabus.